Frosting Recipes

Frosting is where a good cake becomes a great one. By mixing and matching frostings, you can turn one reliable cake recipe into countless different desserts.

Despite its popularity, American buttercream is often overly sweet, heavy, and not the best match for many cakes. There are far better frostings that highlight flavour rather than overpower it. On this page, you'll find foolproof frosting recipes - from silky buttercreams and tangy cream cheese frostings to rich chocolate frostings and simple glazes - so you can confidently choose the perfect finish for any dessert, no matter your skill level.

Buttercream Frosting Recipes

Buttercream is one of the most versatile frostings and is ideal for frosting layer cakes, filling cakes, and piping cupcakes.

Why I Don't Use American Buttercream

American buttercream is often overly sweet, heavy, and can have a grainy texture that overwhelms a cake. I prefer frostings that are smoother, lighter, and let the flavour of the cake shine.

Buttercream piped in a swirl on a plate with a swipe pulled through it to show its smooth texture after being fixed from broken buttercream.

baking tips

How To Fix Broken Buttercream

And prevent it from happening in the first place.

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Cream Cheese Frosting Recipes

Cream cheese frosting is the tastiest frosting in my opinion! But it's also easy to get it wrong. These recipes will help you make silky smooth cream cheese frosting that is stable and delicious.

Chocolate Frosting Recipes

Chocolate frosting should be unapologetically chocolatey. This section focuses on rich, flavour-forward chocolate frostings for cakes, cupcakes, and brownies. from silky chocolate buttercreams to deep, ganache-style frostings - so if you're going to make a chocolate frosting, it actually tastes like chocolate.

Icing and Glaze Recipes

Icings and glazes are simple finishes that work best for drizzling, dipping, or lightly coating desserts like bundt cakes, cookies, and pastries. These recipes are quick to make and perfect when you want sweetness and shine without a thick layer of frosting.

Toppings

Toppings are ideal when a dessert doesn't need a full frosting but still benefits from added flavour or texture. This section includes whipped toppings, drizzles, and finishing touches that work well for cakes, cupcakes, pies, and plated desserts.

Meringue-based Buttercreams

Meringue buttercreams are smooth, silky, and lighter than American buttercream. Made from whipping egg whites and sugar, then gradually adding butter, they're less sweet, stable, and far more flavour-friendly, making them a favourite among professional and home bakers.

Italian Meringue Buttercream - made by drizzling hot sugar syrup into whipped egg whites.
Swiss Meringue Buttercream - made by heating egg whites and sugar in a double boiler before whipping.
French Buttercream - Uses the same technique as Italian meringue, but with egg yolks instead of egg whites for a rich, custard-like flavor.
Marshmallow Frosting - is essentially just Swiss meringue, and can be torched to make a 'toasted marshmallow' effect.

Marshmallow frosting standing up on a whisk attachment.

Tips for Perfect Frosting

A few small techniques can make a huge difference when working with frosting:

Use ingredients at the correct temperature, especially butter and cream cheese.
Match the frosting to the job (spreading, piping, filling, or glazing).
Take time to beat or whip thoroughly for smooth, consistent results.
Add components like strawberry puree or pistachio paste to base frosting recipes for endless variations.

Tip for Frosting Cakes

The best way to keep your cake frosting looking flawless is to apply a 'crumb coat' first. Spread a thin layer of frosting all over the top and sides of the cake, then chill for 30 minutes to lock in the crumbs before adding your final layer.

Make-ahead, Storage & Freezing Tips

Many frostings can be made ahead of time, which is a huge help when baking for events or celebrations.

Most buttercreams and cream cheese frostings can be made in advance and refrigerated.

Some frostings freeze beautifully when stored correctly. Freeze in an airtight container, then thaw slowly in the fridge and re-whip to bring back texture before using.

Cakes can often be frosted ahead and chilled for cleaner slicing and decorating.

Each recipe includes specific storage guidance so you know exactly what works and what doesn't.

My Favorite Decorating Tools

Frosting FAQs

What is the difference between frosting and icing?

Frosting is typically thicker and used for spreading or piping, while icing is thinner and designed for drizzling or setting firm.

Does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?

Yes, cream cheese frosting needs to be kept in the refrigerator because it contains cream cheese. It can sit out at room temperature for up to two hours, or be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days.

How do you color buttercream frosting?

The best way to color buttercream is with gel food coloring. These are strong enough to add vibrant color without affecting the consistency of the frosting.